TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and the method of use
for treating or preventing burn injury in patients or subjects in need.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Burns are mainly caused by accidents, and can be classified into thermal burns, burns
caused by currents, chemical burns, and radiation burns according to the causes.
[0003] The severity of burns can be classified into first-degree, second-degree, third-degree,
and fourth-degree burns according to the burned area, depth of burns, the temperature
of and the contact time with the object causing burns, and skin condition. In second-
or higher-degree burns, scars can be left and hospital cares are required.
[0004] First-degree burns make the skin red, and are accompanied by a tingling pain. Also,
the outermost layer of the skin layer, the epidermis is damaged and often swollen,
accompanied by pain and erythema.
[0005] The symptoms disappear within a few days, but light desquamation and pigmentation
can be left in its place. After recovery, scars are not left. The case of sun burn
is the most common example of first-degree burns.
[0006] Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and dermis, and can cause redness,
pain, swelling, and blisters within 24 hours after the accident. Also, this burn also
affects the sweat gland and pores. Subjectively, severe burning-sensation or pain
can be felt. If blisters burst, an eroded area of the skin is exposed and much of
the liquid juice comes out. In case that burned area is over about 15% of body surface
area, it needs special attention. Wound heals within a few weeks, but in many cases
the pigmentation or depigmentation can be left in its place. If secondary infections
occur, local symptoms become more severe and last long.
[0007] Third-degree burns affect the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis, make the skin black
or translucent white and make blood clot beneath the surface of the skin. These burned
areas may be numb, but patients may feel severe pain, and the necrosis of skin tissues
and structures require a lot of time for the treatment, remaining scars later. In
2 weeks after the accident, the scab falls off, and ulcer sides appear. There are
plenty of secreting fluids and it is easy to bleed, but gradually new tissue formation
through epidermis regeneration heals the burn area, remaining scars. If skin necrosis
is deep or secondary infection occurs, the healing process is delayed and scar surfaces
become irregular, often leading to keloid generation and remaining of transformation,
or movement disorders. If the burned area is about 10% of body surface area, it needs
special attention.
[0008] Fourth-degree burns are cases that the burned tissue is carbonized and changed into
black, and the layer of fat located under skin layer, ligaments, fascia, muscle or
bone also suffers from burns. Fourth-degree burns occur by high-voltage electric injuries
and sometimes, in case of fungal infection during deep second- and third-degree burns.
If the range of burns is more than 20% of body surface area, body can cause physical
reactions, hypotension due to excessive body fluid loss, shock, and acute renal failure
may occur and later subsequent wound infection, pneumonia, sepsis, or multiple organ
dysfunction syndromes may occur.
[0009] For the treatment of burns, it is important to heal the early burn wounds as fast
as possible or to reduce the burned area. In the initial burn wound dressings, the
initial treatment is emphasized to prevent the transition to deep burns by control
of infection and inflammation, maintenance of humid environment, and treatment of
growth factors or cytokines helping skin regeneration, local use of heparin etc.
[0010] If useful therapeutic compounds to treat or prevent burn injury are developed, it
would be greatly helpful to treat patients with burns, improve the state, and reduce
scars considering the severity of burn injury.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0011] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition
and a medical method using the composition useful for treating or preventing burn
injury.
Technical Solution
[0012] To solve the technical problem, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition
for treating or preventing burn injury, comprising tetrafluorobenzyl derivatives represented
by the below chemical formula 1 or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates
as effective agents:

wherein,
R
1, R
2, and R
3 are independently hydrogen or halogen;
R
4 is hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, alkoxy which is substituted with halogen, alkanoyloxy
or nitro;
R
5 is carboxylic acid, ester of carboxylic acid with alkyl, carboxyamide, sulfonic acid,
halogen, or nitro.
[0013] The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, or a medical method
for treating or preventing burn injury, comprising tetrafluorobenzyl derivatives represented
by the chemical formula 1 or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates.
[0014] Preferably, in the chemical formula 1, alkyl is C
1-C
5 alkyl, and more preferably C
1-C
3 alkyl. More specifically, preferable alkyl includes, but is not limited to, methyl,
ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl. Alkoxy, preferably, is
C
1-C
5 alkoxy, and more preferably C
1-C
3 alkoxy. More specifically, preferable alkoxy includes, but is not limited to, methoxy,
ethoxy, and propanoxy. Halogen includes, but is not limited to, fluoride, chloride,
bromide, and iodide. Preferably, alkanoyl is C
2-C
10 alkanoyl, and more preferably C
2-C
5 alkanoyl. More specifically, preferable alkanoyl includes, but is not limited to,
ethanoyl, propanoyl, and cyclohexanecarbonyl. Preferably, alkanoyloxy is C
1-C
4 alkanoyloxy.
[0015] Preferable examples of the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative represented by the above
chemical formula 1 include, but are not limited to, followings:
2-Hydroxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluorcmethyl-tenzylamino)-benzoic acid (hereinafter,
referred to as '2-Hydroxy-TTBA'),
2-Nitro-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethylbenzylamino) benzoic acid,
2-Chloro-5- (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluorcmethylbenzylamino) benzoic acid,
2-Brorno-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethylbenzylanLino) benzoic acid,
2-Hydroxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylbenzylamino)benzoic acid,
2-Methy1-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluro-4-trifluoromethylbenzylamino) benzoic acrid,
2-Methoxy-5- (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethylbenzylamino) benzoic acid,
5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoranethylbenzylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy benzoic acid.
[0016] In the present invention, burns usually refer to the phenomenon that skin cells are
destroyed by heat or lead to necrosis. Examples of burns include flame burns caused
by fire, scalding burns caused by hot liquid (water, oil, etc.), contact burns caused
by contact with hot objects (such as electric irons, rice cookers, etc.), chemical
burns caused by strong acids, strong alkalis, sunburns caused by strong ultraviolet
light, radiation burns caused by exposure to radiation and X-ray, but are not limited
to. Also, the invention of burns can be first degree, second degree, third degree,
and fourth degree burns.
[0017] The tetrafluorobenzyl derivative represented by the above chemical formula 1 or its
pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates can be used for treating or preventing
burn injury, but are not limited to specific type or degree (severity) of burns.
[0018] The tetrafluorobenzyl derivative or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the
present invention can be prepared by, but is not limited to, the reaction schemes
released in
US 6,927,303.
[0019] Some compounds according to the present invention can be administered in the form
of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts"
of the present invention mean salts produced by non-toxic or little toxic base. In
case that the compound of the present invention is acidic, base addition salts of
the compound of the present invention can be made by reacting the free base of the
compound with enough amount of desirable base and adequate inert solvent. Pharmaceutically
acceptable base addition salts include, but are not limited to, lithium, sodium, potassium,
calcium, ammonium, magnesium or salt made by organic amino. In case that the compound
of the present invention is basic, acid addition salts of the compound of the compound
can be made by reacting the free base of compound with enough amount of desirable
acid and adequate inert solvent. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include,
but are not limited to, propionic acid, isobutylic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid,
malonic acid, benzoic acid, succinic acid, suberic acid, fumaric acid, mandelic acid,
phthalic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, p-tolylsulfonic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid,
methanesulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, bromic acid, nitric acid, carbonic acid,
monohydrogencarbonic acid, phosphoric acid, monohydrogen-phosphoric acid, dihydrogen-phosphoric
acid, sulfuric acid, monohydrogen.-sulfuric acid, hydrogen iodide, and phosphorous
acid. In addition, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention
include, but are not limited to, a salt of amino acid like arginate and an analog
of organic acid like glucuronic or galactunoric.
[0020] Some of the compounds of the present invention may be hydrated form, and may exist
as solvated or unsolvated form. A part of compounds according to the present invention
existing as a crystal form or amorphous form, and any physical form is included in
the scope of the present invention. In addition, some compounds of the present invention
may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms or double bonds, and therefore exist
in two or more stereoisomeric forms like racemate, enantiomer, diastereomer, geometric
isomer, etc. The present invention includes these individual stereoisomers of the
compounds of the present invention.
[0021] The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above
compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates; and pharmaceutically
acceptable excipients or additives, The tetrafluorobenzyl derivative represented by
the above chemical formula 1 or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts/solvates of
the present invention may be administered alone or with any convenient carrier, diluent,
etc. and such a formulation for administration may be single-dose unit or multiple-dose
unit.
[0022] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be formulated in a solid
or liquid form. The solid formulation includes, but is not limited to, a powder, a
granule, a tablet, a capsule, a suppository, etc. Also, the solid formulation may
further include, but is not limited to, a diluent, a flavoring agent, a binder, a
preservative, a disintegrating agent, a lubricant, a filler, etc. The liquid formulation
"includes, but is not limited to, a solution such as water solution and propylene
glycol solution, a suspension, an emulsion, etc., and may be prepared by adding suitable
additives such as a coloring agent, a flavoring agent, a stabilizer, a thickener,
etc.
[0023] For example, a powder can be made by simply mixing the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative
of the present invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients like lactose,
starch, microcrystalline cellulose etc. A granule can be prepared as follows: mixing
tetrafluorobenzyl derivatives or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, a pharmaceutically
acceptable diluent and a pharmaceutically acceptable binder such as polyvinylpyrrolidone,
hydroxyprdpylcellulose, etc; and wet-granulating with adequate solvent like water,
ethanol, isopropanol, etc, or direct-compressing with compressing power. In addition,
a tablet can be made by mixing the granule with a pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant
such as magnesium stearate, and tabletting the mixture using a tablet making machine.
[0024] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be administered in forms
of, but not limited to, oral formulation, injectable formulation, (for example, intramuscular,
intraperitoneal, intravenous, infusion, subcutaneous, inplant), inhalable, intranasal,
vaginal, rectal, sublingual, transdermal, topical, etc. depending on the disorders
to be treated and the patient's conditions. The composition of the present invention
may be formulated in a suitable dosage unit comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable
and non-toxic carrier, additive and/or vehicle, which all are generally used in the
art, depending on the routes to be administered. A depot type of formulation being
able to continuously release drug for desirable time also is included in the scope
of the present invention.
[0025] The present invention also provides a method of using the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative
or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates for treating and/or preventing
burn injury; including the administration to objects that require treatment or prevention
of burn injury with therapeutically effective amount.
[0026] For treating burn injury, the compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or
solvates of the present invention may be administered daily at a dose of approximately
0.01 mg/kg to approximately 1000 mg/kg, preferably approximately 2.5 mg/kg to approximately
500 mg/kg. However, the dosage may be varied according to the patient's conditions
(age, sex, body weight, etc.), the severity of patients in need thereof, the used
effective compounds, etc. The compounds of the present invention, may be administered
once a day or several times a day in divided doses, if necessary.
Advantageous Effects
[0027] The present invention relates to a method and a pharmaceutical composition for treating
burn injury, the compound represented by the chemical formula as an active ingredient
or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028]
Figure 1 shows the protective effect of 2-hydroxy-TTBA against a thermal burn injury
using a result of blood chemistry test, that is, through reduction of lactate dehydrogenase
in serum
Figure 2 is the photograph showing a result of morphological skin observation at 7
days after a thermal burn injury. This figure shows therapeutic effects of 2-hydroxy-TTBA
for the burn injury.
Figure 3 is the photograph showing comparative states of epithelia stained by hematoxylin-eosin
according to each experimental groups.
Figure 4 is the photograph showing the state of full-thickness skin in zone of stasis
(zone of tissue injury) at 7 days after a thermal burn injury stained by hematoxylin-eosin
under 10x microscope.
Figure 5 is the photograph showing the state of live cells of full-thickness skin
tissues in zone of stasis (zone of tissue injury) stained by cresyl violet under 10x
microscope.
Figure 6 is the photograph showing the state of collagen and muscle fibers of full-thickness
skin tissues in zone of stasis (zone of tissue injury) through Masson's trichrom staining
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention is described in considerable details to help those
skilled in the art understand the present invention. However, various examples according
to the present invention can be transformed into other forms, and the scope of the
invention should not be construed as being limited to the following examples. Examples
of the present invention are provided to explain more completely to the skilled artisan
in this field.
<Example 1> The therapeutic effect against contact burn injury
[0030] To confirm the therapeutic effect of 2-hydroxy-TTBA. against burn injury, contact
burn injury is induced for 30 seconds on the back of rats (on the both side of skin)
using a brass comb preheated for 3 minutes in the boiling water (maintaining at 100
°C). After 5 minutes, 2-hydroxy-TTBA 10 mg/5 ml/kg were administered to intravenously
for 5 minutes. Since then, twice-a-day administration (at an interval of 10-12 hours)
was sustained for 7 days on the same conditions. The same amount of saline without
the compound was administered to the vehicle-treated group in the same manner. Groups
of burn experiments were same as below table 1.
[Table 1]
Groups |
Normal group |
Burn (control group) |
Vehicle-treated group |
2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated group |
Total number of experimental animals |
6 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
Number of dead animals |
N/A |
2 |
0 |
0 |
[0031] When analyzing the results, number of animals of the normal group for comparison,
number of animals in each group, and the number of animals that died within 7 days
after the burn injury were shown in above table 1. Two rats in the burn control group
died at 5 and 7 days, respectively, after burn injury, but all of another experimental
group survived.
The measurement of lactate dehydrogenase in serum through blood chemistry
[0032] Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme distributed to almost all the tissues and
catalyzing reversible reactions between pyruvic acid and lactic acid.
[0033] It is know that serum LDH level is elevated when tissues and cells are destroyed.
Thus, the amount of LDH was measured in serum samples from each group except hemolyzed
samples that may interfere with test results. The result was shown in the figure 1.
[0034] As shown in the figure 1, the LDE value of the burn control group was increased approximately
2 times compared to the normal group and the LDH value of 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated group
was reduced significantly compared to burn control group.
Observation of skin appearance on the back after bu= injury
[0035] Figure 2 is photographs that observed skin on the back 7 days after burn injury.
Full thickness burns were induced in the both sides of back of experimental rats using
a preheated brass comb with 4 rectangular shapes of size 10 x 20 mm. At 2 hours after
induction, 4 pale-colored or darkish zones of coagulation (or zones of tissue necrosis)
and 3 zones of stasis. (or zones of tissue injury) appeared on the both sides of back.
The zone of coagulation (or zone of tissue necrosis) is a cell region that damaged
irreversibly, and the recovery is impossible over time, and the zone of stasis (or
zone of tissue injury) is a region that cell necrosis is continued without a specific
treatment within 24 ~ 48 hours, leading to cell death by ischemia caused by continuous
fibrin deposition, vasoconstriction, thrombosis, etc.
[0036] Therefore, to evaluate the efficacy in this experiment, among the zone of stasis,
the remaining 4 regions (a rectangular area indicated the dotted lines) except regions
toward the head close to a medication vest among 6 areas appeared in a single rat
were analyzed.
[0037] As shown in the figure 2, formation of crust in the zone of stasis, switch to the
wound, separation of wounds, or elimination of skin may be observed in the burn control
group without taking any action.
[0038] Formation of eschar such as scab occurred rarely in the vehicle and 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated
group. Specially, the skin of 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated group was restored to such a
good skin condition that hair growth can be observed by the naked eye.
Histological appearance of eschar formation and_ wound epidermis formation after burn
injury
[0039] Figure 3 is the result comparing the state of the epithelial layer through hematoxylin-eosin
staining of tissues according to the groups. As shown in figure 3, unlike normal controls
that normal epithelial layers (part indicated by the arrow) as well as healthy follicles
were observed, normal epithelial cells except the inflammatory cells were not observed
due to eschar formation in the burn control group. It was identified that wound epidermis
formation was in progress in the vehicle-treated and 2-bydroxy-TTBA-treated groups.
Some cases that hyperplasia of epidermis thicker than normal epithelial layers occurred
could be also observed.
[0040] Eschar formation and frequency of wound epidermis formation was measured by analyzing
total 28 tissue areas per group (4 zones of stasis per rat, 7 rats per group). As
a result, the wound switching frequency of approximately 93% occurred in the burn
control group was decreased to about 18% and 4%, respectively, in the veheicle-treated
and 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated groups. Also, the rate of wound epidermis formation was
increased by approximately 32% and 72%, respectively, in comparison with the burn
control group. The result was shown in the below table 2 (histological appearance:
Eschar Formation and frequency of wound epidermis formation).
[Table 2]
Groups |
Burn control group |
Vehicle-treated group |
2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated group |
Eschar formation (%) |
92.857 |
17.857 |
3.571 |
Wound epidermis formation (%) |
10.714 |
32.143 |
71.429 |
Histology of full-thickness skin by hematoxylin-eosin staining
[0041] Figure .4 was the photograph that observed the state of tissues of full-thickness
skin through hematoxylin-eosin staining via 10x microscope.
[0042] It showed that epithelium, dermis, subcutaneous tissue and muscle layers have been
damaged across the full thickness in the burn control group. It was observed that
eschar .was formed, the inflammatory cells were infiltrated below it, and there are
a large number of inflammatory cells between the subcutaneous tissue and muscle layers.
In the vehicle-treated group, schar such as scab was not formed, but a considerable
amounts of inflammatory cells were observed all over the skin tissues and subcutaneous
tissues, still showing infiltration of the many inflammatory cells below the regenerated
epithelium. In 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated group, infiltration of inflammatory cells was
considerably inhibited except in the areas of muscle cells and subcutaneous tissues
and not only a wound epidermis formation but also protective effects even in the hair
follicles, sebaceous glands and muscle layers appeared.
Histology of skin full-thickness by cresyl violet staining
[0043] Figure 5 is the photograph observed the live cells in the zone of stasis by cresyl
violet staining via 10x microscope. In the burn control group and the vehicle-treated
group, follicles were rarely observed and large amounts of inflammatory cells were
observed throughout the full-thickness skin. On the other hand, live follicles and
epithelia were observed, and relatively few inflammatory cells were observed in 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated
group.
Histology of full-thickness skin by Masson's trichrom staning
[0044] Figure 6 is the photograph that observed collagen of skin tissues and muscle fibers
in the zone of stasis by Masson's trichrom staining. In the normal group, blue-stained
collagen was evenly distributed throughout the dermis, and muscle fibers were stained
red. In the burn control group, collagen was deposited irregularly below eschar, the
level of staining was weak relative to the normal group. Almost of the muscle fibers
were damaged and were not stained. In the vehicle-treated group, the amount of collagen
was most abundantly observed relative to the other groups, even to a very high level
compared to the normal control. In addition, the muscle fibers with damage were not
stained, and significant amount of bleeding and infiltration of inflammatory cells
were accompanied. However, in 2-hydroxy-TTBA-treated group, similar to the normal
group, epithelium, dermis, subcutaneous fat, and muscles layers were well arranged,
showing evenly distributed collages around the live hair follicles, and red-stained
muscle fibers.
1. A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing burn injury, comprising tetrafluorobenzyl
derivatives represented by the chemical formula 1 or its pharmaceutically acceptable
salts as effective agents:

wherein,
R
1, R
2, and R
3 are independently hydrogen or halogen;
R
4 is hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, alkoxy which is substituted with halogen, alkanoyloxy
or nitro;
R
5 is carboxylic acid, ester of carboxylic acid with C
1-C
4 alkyl, carboxyamide, sulfonic acid, halogen, or nitro.
2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative
is any one selected from the group consisting of
2-hydroxy-5- (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-nitro-5- (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluorcimethyl-benzylamino) - benzoic acid,
2-chloro-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-bromo-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoin acid,
2-hydroxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-methyl-5- (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino) - benzoic acid,
2-methoxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoramethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy benzoic acid.
3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative
is 2-hydroxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino) benzoic acid.
4. A method of use for treating or preventing burn injury, comprising administering to
a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the tetrafluorobenzyl
derivatives represented by the chemical formula 1 or its pharmaceutically acceptable
salts:

wherein,
R
1, R
2, and R
3 are independently hydrogen or halogen;
R
4 is hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, alkoxy which is substituted with halogen, alkanoyloxy
or nitro;
R
5 is carboxylic acid, ester of carboxylic acid with C
1-C
4 alkyl, carboxyamide, sulfonic acid, halogen, or nitro.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative is any one selected
from the group consisting of
2-hydroxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-nitro-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoramethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-chloro-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-bromo-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2-hydroxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methyl-bexzylamino)-benzoic acid,
2 -methyl-5- (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino) - benzoic acid,
2-methoxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)-benzoic acid,
5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoramethyl-benzylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy benzoic acid,
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the tetrafluorobenzyl derivative is 2-hydraxy-5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzylamino)
benzoic acid.